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6 Locals Recommend Them • Answered on Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Most people look for new auto insurance when their rates increase, however, there are other reasons people look for new insurance.

Life changing events are high on the list. Here are the top five reasons I have found people look for new auto insurance.

1. Their premium went up.

2. They purchase a new auto.

3. They move to a new area.

4. They don't feel they are getting the service they pay for.

5. They had a claim and didn't have the coverage they thought they did.

It is important for you to understand what your coverage is and to... (more)

Mark's answer has some good points.

Most people look for new auto insurance when their rates increase, however, there are other reasons people look for new insurance.

Life changing events are high on the list. Here are the top five reasons I have found people look for new auto insurance.

1. Their premium went up.

2. They purchase a new auto.

3. They move to a new area.

4. They don't feel they are getting the service they pay for.

5. They had a claim and didn't have the coverage they thought they did.

It is important for you to understand what your coverage is and to determine if it is enough for the car you drive, where you live, the cars other people drive in your area, your assets, and what you can afford if you get into an accident.

I would recommend a yearly review of your policy to determine if you have proper coverage.

If you need help understanding your coverage, or would like a policy review contact me at (913) 652-3689 and I would be happy to help.

2 Locals Recommend Them • Replied on Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Hello Gary,

You made some valid reasons why our coverage can go up. You said it best "I would recommend a yearly review of your policy to determine if you have proper coverage."

Gary you may be nice enough to review the policy but not many people will review policies for free! You are right and I do have my policy reviewed annually at no cost along with other contracts and documents that I need reviewing from time to time. With an affordable legal plan, I am protected legally and there is not out of pocket cost to have these reviews done. Thankfully, it is... (more)

Hello Gary,

You made some valid reasons why our coverage can go up. You said it best "I would recommend a yearly review of your policy to determine if you have proper coverage."

Gary you may be nice enough to review the policy but not many people will review policies for free! You are right and I do have my policy reviewed annually at no cost along with other contracts and documents that I need reviewing from time to time. With an affordable legal plan, I am protected legally and there is not out of pocket cost to have these reviews done. Thankfully, it is all covered under the plan. I leased a BMW when I retired a few months ago, and since contract review is covered under my membership plan, I let the attorney review the contract. Since I was leasing it, the attorney suggested that I go back and ask for an additional 2000 miles. I did and guess what? They gave them to me without question. When we don't know what we don't know, we need to rely on the experts. The affordable experts that is!

I have to agree with Mark that shopping around is the best way to ensure we are getting equal treatment, and knowing some of the things that will give us discounts is valuable also. Discounts bring our premiums down but if we don't know what to claim, then we end up paying more!

1 Local Recommends Them • Replied on Wednesday, January 4, 2017

I spent 17 of my 25 years in the insurance industry as a captive agent (examples: State Farm, Allstate, Farmers, Liberty, Farm Bureau, etc) and know that there is not a single insurance company that can best suit everyone's needs. An independent agent has the advantage of many companies and products to best suit the needs of their clients. We feel that we are able to do a much better job for our clients as an independent agent / broker because we put our clients best interests first. Captive agents are contractually required to place the insurance company's... (more)

I spent 17 of my 25 years in the insurance industry as a captive agent (examples: State Farm, Allstate, Farmers, Liberty, Farm Bureau, etc) and know that there is not a single insurance company that can best suit everyone's needs. An independent agent has the advantage of many companies and products to best suit the needs of their clients. We feel that we are able to do a much better job for our clients as an independent agent / broker because we put our clients best interests first. Captive agents are contractually required to place the insurance company's interest first.

Most Engaging Answer

6 Locals Recommend Them • Answered on Wednesday, December 28, 2016

I haven't got a new insurance quote in years. I am very happy with my agent from Allstate. However, since I haven't gotten a quote in a long time I am considering it to see if I am still getting the best rate I can. I have gotten new quotes in the past when my premiums went up for no reason.

I haven't got a new insurance quote in years. I am very happy with my agent from Allstate. However, since I haven't gotten a quote in a long time I am considering it to see if I am still getting the best rate I can. I have gotten new quotes in the past when my premiums went up for no reason.

1 Local Recommends Them • Replied on Thursday, December 29, 2016

We rexommend checking every 6 months, even with your own correct company. They're ate so many variables that influence auto ands home insurance, you may not like the quote this time, but 6 months after the quote week change.

We rexommend checking every 6 months, even with your own correct company. They're ate so many variables that influence auto ands home insurance, you may not like the quote this time, but 6 months after the quote week change.

0 Locals Recommend Them • Replied on Saturday, December 31, 2016

Hello Kristine! Give yourself a chance and check out our website (www.newyorklife.com). If you need life insurance, we have the best ratings in the industry and if I can help you analyze what you currently have, please reach out.

Hello Kristine! Give yourself a chance and check out our website (www.newyorklife.com). If you need life insurance, we have the best ratings in the industry and if I can help you analyze what you currently have, please reach out.

2 Locals Recommend Them • Answered on Friday, December 30, 2016

I am an insurance agent and the rule of thumb is to have your agent look at your Auto, Home, and Insurance policy, check each six months because circumstance change. Rather than wait on a good driver check, why not have your rate lowered and save on premiums. Whether you are adding new family members, getting new policies for children that are 21, or you are getting older and do not need as much coverage as you did when you were younger. These issue should be discussed with you agent. What I personally do is check on my clients often to see if any changes... (more)

I am an insurance agent and the rule of thumb is to have your agent look at your Auto, Home, and Insurance policy, check each six months because circumstance change. Rather than wait on a good driver check, why not have your rate lowered and save on premiums. Whether you are adding new family members, getting new policies for children that are 21, or you are getting older and do not need as much coverage as you did when you were younger. These issue should be discussed with you agent. What I personally do is check on my clients often to see if any changes have occurred in their family and just to keep in touch with them.

2 Locals Recommend Them • Replied on Monday, January 9, 2017

Thank you Theresa for the feedback. I learned a lot from everyone's posting and I am currently revisiting my policy as well. I learned today that I can receive a "Mature Driver" dis count, but have to take a class for qualification.

Thank you Theresa for the feedback. I learned a lot from everyone's posting and I am currently revisiting my policy as well. I learned today that I can receive a "Mature Driver" dis count, but have to take a class for qualification.

0 Locals Recommend Them • Replied on Sunday, January 22, 2017

A customer cannot just call in and "have their rate lowered" just like a snap of a finger. The only way to lower rates is to reduce coverage limits, or increase your own out-of-pocket with higher deductibles and removal of options. I also beg to differ on the statement that since you are getting older you might not need as much coverage. I have found it to be quite the opposite!

A customer cannot just call in and "have their rate lowered" just like a snap of a finger. The only way to lower rates is to reduce coverage limits, or increase your own out-of-pocket with higher deductibles and removal of options. I also beg to differ on the statement that since you are getting older you might not need as much coverage. I have found it to be quite the opposite!

2 Locals Recommend Them • Replied on Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Travis, most of the time when you call to get a quote they will do whatever it takes to save you money and therefore get your business - this usually means lowering your coverage and increasing your deductibles. Make sure you know what you're buying and who you're buying it from.

Travis, most of the time when you call to get a quote they will do whatever it takes to save you money and therefore get your business - this usually means lowering your coverage and increasing your deductibles. Make sure you know what you're buying and who you're buying it from.

2 Locals Recommend Them • Replied on Monday, January 9, 2017

Trang, the bottom line for me is regardless of the Customer Service, I owe it to myself to do my research and find the best quote. It is all about saving on the bottom line. I learned today that I qualified for a specific discount and if I had not did my research, I would not have known. Poor Customer Service can also involve withholding information that can give better quotes to the customer. Unbelieveable!

Trang, the bottom line for me is regardless of the Customer Service, I owe it to myself to do my research and find the best quote. It is all about saving on the bottom line. I learned today that I qualified for a specific discount and if I had not did my research, I would not have known. Poor Customer Service can also involve withholding information that can give better quotes to the customer. Unbelieveable!

0 Locals Recommend Them • Answered on Wednesday, January 11, 2017

A couple of general things to keep in mind about insurance.

Each state makes their own rules governing insurance. So depending on the state you live in, there may be minimums & discounts & coverages that are not available elsewhere. Or they may be included in the basic policy structure in one state, but be an add on coverage in another. Or they may just use different names for the same type of coverage from state to state.

It is almost always best to work with a LOCAL agent, not just an 800 number. At the call centers, agents live in one state, get... (more)

A couple of general things to keep in mind about insurance.

Each state makes their own rules governing insurance. So depending on the state you live in, there may be minimums & discounts & coverages that are not available elsewhere. Or they may be included in the basic policy structure in one state, but be an add on coverage in another. Or they may just use different names for the same type of coverage from state to state.

It is almost always best to work with a LOCAL agent, not just an 800 number. At the call centers, agents live in one state, get licensed in that state & then get many addendums to that license to be able to speak to people all around the country. And while they receive training & have computer support for each state, imagine how hard it is to keep the rules for 50 states in your head. Local agents, whether captive or independent, who live & work in your area are familiar with the appetites and nuances of coverage for their own company & their competitors.

For personal lines products each individual or family may share a basic set of needs, but their circumstances & resources are unique & specific to them. The relationship that develops between an agent and their client allows the agent to help the client navigate their changing needs & circumstances. Never be afraid to ask your agent to review your policy for any additional discounts. Or if your circumstances have become difficult. Your agent can often suggest ways to mitigate problems if you contact them before they become an issue. As for how often to review, ask how often your company does rate adjustments company wide for home & auto. We do it annually, so once a year reviews are fine if nothing has changed in the clients life.

And it never hurts to look at what type of work or associations you have that might lead to a great insurance rate. Meemic Insurance is a Midwest regional carrier that was started by teachers for teachers. So our best rates are reserved for those in the educational community. We also have a Foundation that gives back massive amounts directly to teachers in the form of grants to be used in new programs or for their classrooms. Sometimes things like this are important when choosing a carrier.

Bottom line - find a local agent you feel comfortable with, review annually or anytime circumstances in your life change, and READ the inserts in your renewal packets - they will give you a list of discounts available & are a great starting point for that review conversation with your agent.